Adjustable spool support



Oct' 28, 1958 MAsAYOsx-n YAsUl 2,858,089

ADJUSTABLE SPOOL SUPPORT Filed Feb. 2l, 1955 United States Patent O ADJUSTABLE SPOOL SUPPORT Masayoshi Yasui, Mizuho-kn, Nagoya, Japan, assignor to Nippon Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd., Nagoya, Japan Application February 21, 1955, serial No. 489,473 6 claims. (C1. 242-134) This invention relates to improvements in sewing machines and more particularly to a spool pin used on sewing machines.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide means facilitating retraction into or removal of the spool pin from the body or frame of a sewing machine during storage, shipping, repairing and other occasions when the sewing machine is not in use or is to be packed in a cabinet or case.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means affording the retraction of the spool pin in a substantially simple and inexpensive manner, whereby the hazard of interference or breakage thereof may be greatly eliminated.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide means ensuring adjustment of the spool pin relative to the height of the spool carrying yarn or thread for the sewing operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means conducive to a convenient and useful support for a spool of thread or yarn which may be readily placed on or removed from the spool pin in the conventional manner. However, the latter may be completely concealed in the machine body, if so desired.

Yet a further object of the invention resides in the provision of means contributing to a streamlined surface of the sewing machine when not in use, so that salability and aesthetic appearance of the sewing machine will be considerably enhanced.

It is still a further `object of the invention to provide means leading to a compact unit for operating the spool pin which may be easily assembled and attached to existing sewing machines without substantially altering the same.

These and other objects of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a sewing machine on which the spool pin is shown in extended position and made in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the spool pin attachment showing the pin in extended position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 with the spool pin in retracted position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the spool pin attachment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of an alternative spool pin attachment with the pin in extended position; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the opening of the tilting plate forming part of said spool pin attachment.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a conventional sewing machine having the top surface or plate 4 for carrying a spool pin 1 adapted to extend beyond the top plate 4 which forms a part of the horizontal arm of the body of the sewing machine. i

Pin 1 has `an outer suitably contoured end to be received within the bore of a spool. This pin is contained in an attachment unit 2 which is recessed in that arm. As in Figs. 2 and 3, unit 2 consists of a cylindrical housing 5 in which there is placed a compressible coil spring element 3 (whose tension may be adjusted in any conventional manner). A piston 1a `is slidable in cylinder housing 5 and` connected with pin 1, the latter being of a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of cylindrical housing 5. Cylindrical housing 5 is held in position by means of a cup-shaped ange piece 2a attached on the portion 13 of top surface 4 by means of screws 12. Pivotally held within housing Zaand swingable about a pin 6 is a plate 2, formed with a central perforation. This plate is acted upon by a spring element 7 extending into a recess 7a in the lower face of plate 2.

Bore 8 of the plate 2 extends at an angle with respectf to a line perpendicular to its faces as particularly shown l in Fig. 6. Therefore, pin 1 is freely slidable within passageway 8 when plate 2 is depressed against the action of spring element 7 so that the surfaces of bore 8 extend concentrically around the face of pin 1.

Upon release of the pressure against spring element 7, the latter will tilt plate 2 about pivot pin 6, whereby the surfaces defining passageway 8 will frictionally bear against the side facesof pin 1. Thus, pin element 1 may be extended to selected adjusted positions relative to portion 13 of top plate 4` in accordance with the height of the spool to be applied to said pin. Fig. 2 shows pin 1 in its' fully extended position. l

FigfS shows a tilting plate 2x `of alternative formi,h having an integral pivot-abutment 6x,` `whereby tilting l plate 2x is retained within flange housing 2y by means of a top plate 13x screwed onto plate portion ,13 by means of screws 12.

In this particular case a leaf spring 14 is employed which is so shaped that it presses tilting plate 2x into a position causing passageway 8 to normally extend at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of pin 1, so that the latter will frictionally bear against the walls of the passageway, as it is well understood from the aforesaid disclosure.

It is further evident that a light linger pressureagainst one end of tilting plate 2x at a location remote from pivot point 6x will cause alignment of passageway 8 with respect to the longitudinal axis of pin 1 to thereby permit release and passage of pin 1 through bore or passageway 8.

It is well understood thatthe new retractable spool pin structure is semi-automatic, avoids direct seating of the rotatable spool body on the machine arm and the contact of the latter with the painted surface of said arm, so that marring of said surface is effectively prevented. The tilting or trigger plate as hereinabove disclosed may be substantially flush with the upper surface of top plate 4 and iirmly holds the spool pin in retracted as well as in predetermined extended positions, as may be required.

The device has been found to be highly practical and safe in operation and may be readily replaced. It is inexpensive to manufacture and may be applied to any existing type of sewing machines and at any location thereof. During sewing operation the spool may readily revolve while being seated on the tilting plate which, if required, may further be provided with a highly polished surface or with a surface reducing considerably any friction between it and the spool. The tilting plate preferably separates the spool body from the surface of the sewing machine arm, upon which the spool would otherwise normally rest. While the spool pin may be readily pressed into housing S by means of the finger and against Patented Oct. 28, 1958 the action of spring 3, the movement of the pin into extended position is controlled by the retaining action of the tilting plate exerted on pin 1 by means of the walls of passageway 8 in' a very efficient and easily operable manner. Accordingly spool pin 1 is always guided by means` of piston 1a in its upright or vertical position.

Itis to be observed that spring element 7 is suciently strong that it will not normally be compressed due to the weight of the spool with its wound thread material thereon.

Thus among others, the objects as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable spool support including in combinationa plate formed with a transverse opening extending at an angle with respect to a line normal to said plate body, a pin extending through said opening and slidable with respect to said plate, means for rockingly supporting saidtplate, a spring bearing against said pin to project the latter, the surfaces defining the plate opening normally bearing against the side face of said pin to restrain the projection of the latter and a face of said plate providing a support for a spool whereby pressure upon such a spool will `cause said plate to rock and substantially align the axis of its opening with the axis of the pin to thereby release the latter from restraint.

2. In an adjustable spool support as dened in claim 1, a further spring positioned to one side of said pin and acting against said plate to cause it to assume its normal position.

3. In the combination as defined in claim 2, the means rockingly supporting said plate being disposed to one side of said pin axis and the spring acting against said plate being disposed at a point substantially diametrically opposite such rocking plate support.

4. In the combination as specied in claim 2, a cupshaped member, said plate extending into said member, the means for rockingly supporting said plate extending between the latter and said member and the spring acting against said plate being interposed between such plate and member.

5. In the combination as specified in claim 1, a cylindrical housing receiving the inner end of said pin to slidably guide the latter and said spring being disposed within said housing and bearing against such inner pin end.

6. A spool support assembly including in combination a cup-shaped member, a `cylindrical housing extending downwardly therefrom, a pin having a lower end within and slidably engaging the bore of said housing, an outer end of said pin being slidably extendable through said member to a position above the latter, a spring within said housing and bearing against the lower end of said pin to urge the latter to assume a position where its outer end is extended above said member, a plate formed with a transverse opening extending at an angle with respect to a line normal to an upper Vface of said plate, means for securing said plate for rocking movements with respect to and within said member, said pin extending through said plate opening and a face of said plate being exposed within said member to support a spool, whereby digital pressure upon such spool will rock the plate to cause the axis of its opening to be substantially aligned with the axis of said pin.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,259,603 Conord Mar. 19, 1918 2,220,969 List et al. Nov. 12, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 171,101 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1934 

